Online vs Traditional Utah

Double-Helix, BSN, RN · Feb 16, 2017

Are you already an RN? If so, many RN-BSN programs are online and in my experience, as long as you have the degree, no one really cares where it's from (except Excelsior).

If you're not already an RN, you won't be able to take an online only course, as there are clinical components you will need to complete.

SethH · Feb 16, 2017

I am not an RN and have no prior education in nursing but I think the program at WGU from my research is completely online except for the clinicals.

applesxoranges, BSN, RN · Feb 18, 2017

How will they set up clinicals or will you be expected to set up clinicals on your own?

I know Excelsior has a bad rap for initial RN degree training in my area and hospitals are hesitant to hire graduates who passed Excelsior in my area. I am not in a state that accepts WGU so I couldn't really comment on whether it would be worth it to do it that way.

One concern with an online program like Excelsior is that some states do not accept it as the initial RN training but from what I understand, Excelsior does their clinicals differently where you have the option to pass an exam. WGU sounds like they will make you complete the clinicals.

Apple-Core, ASN, BSN, RN · Feb 18, 2017

I can't speak for that particular school, so I can't answer your exact question, but I will be taking a BSN that is part online and part in person. I am quite surprised that this course expects you to only take clinicals in person. How will you practice your nursing skills....just role up to the hospital one day and hope for the best, based on what you learnt from a textbook? Sorry - I don't want to appear rude about it, it's a serious point!

Take the basics of putting in an IV....you couldn't possibly show up for day one of clinicals and know what to do if you haven't practiced in a classroom, could you? I couldn't! :down: Or am I misunderstanding the program??

203bravo, MSN, APRN · Feb 18, 2017

I was wondering the same thing as UnionJack.. but appears that this school does require the same evaluation of competency as other traditional schools.

You will work with a WGU mentor to prepare for rigorous assessments, virtual reality simulations, and high fidelity simulations. Upon successful completion and demonstration of competency, you will qualify to attend your agency-based clinical rotations.

Apple-Core, ASN, BSN, RN · Feb 18, 2017

I was wondering the same thing as UnionJack.. but appears that this school does require the same evaluation of competency as other traditional schools.
You will work with a WGU mentor to prepare for rigorous assessments, virtual reality simulations, and high fidelity simulations. Upon successful completion and demonstration of competency, you will qualify to attend your agency-based clinical rotations.

If OP feels confident that that will be enough to hit the ground running in clinicals, then all power to him. Obviously it must be an approved way of teaching/learning for it to offered (assuming the school is accredited?).

However, for me, that would be an horrendous way to learn....virtual reality simulation? I would be terrified heading to the hospital knowing my only other practice had been online.

The same evaluation of competency may be required, but how on earth could a student get to that baseline level without hands-on practice? It would be an uphill struggle at the very least. Maybe I'm missing something, and the reality is quite different - but I can't see how some online tutorial/virtual reality lesson(however HD it is!) could compare to actual in-person, hands-on learning.

Not for me, I'll stick to traditional learning. But ... to each, their own!